British politics, society, and the state since the late nineteenth century

This stimulating new text reflects on the extraordinary political stability in Britain, compared with much of continental Europe, over the last hundred years. It also provides a historical perspective on current political issues, especially on the attempts of the present administration to reduce the state's involvement in welfare and in the funding of other public services. In examining these areas, the author argues that they have been shaped by the conflict between individualistic and collectivist ideas and until recently have been dominated by the latter. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-6 The crisis of liberalism....Pages 7-55 The impact of the great war....Pages 56-91 The impact of the depression....Pages 92-140 The impact of the second world war....Pages 141-174 The postwar consensus and its demise....Pages 175-215 Conclusion....Pages 216-221 Back Matter....Pages 222-251 Malcolm Smith. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 232-246) And Index.